It was another frustrating afternoon for the Whites who, having seen through ninety minutes, conceded an added time goal which took Wigan up to second in the table whilst Fulham were once again left to rue their luck.

90' Substitution

Fulham travelled north looking for their first win in Wigan since August 1992 when they won 3-1 at the Latics’ old Springfield Park ground.

The starting line up showed just one change from the side that faced Liverpool with the fit again Tomasz Radzinski replacing Ahmad Elrich. It was the Canadian who had the first chance, his shot going just wide of the goal In the 4th minute Claus Jensen put in Malbranque but the Frenchman pulled his shot narrowly wide of FIlan’s right hand post.

Wigan almost took the lead after 14 minutes. Camara skipped inside Goma and saw his cross was headed down by Ryan Taylor, a goal looked certain but Damien Francis was unable to touch the ball into goal.

Much of the play, at this stage, was taking place in the midfield area with both sides struggling to find that vital through ball, there was a half chance when Moritz Volz found Collins John unmarked in the box but his header failed to trouble Filan. Niklas Jensen then hooked the ball high into the six yard box; it was cleared as far as Malbranque whose centre saw a shout for handball against the Wigan defence. Soon afterwards a free kick from Niklas Jensen was headed onto the roof of the net by Collins John.

The 35th minute brought a moment of controversy as Collins John sprinted onto a long punt up field from Diop; the Wigan goalkeeper sprinted outside his box, diving at the feet of John who appealed for handball.

Referee Andre Marriner waved play on. Five minutes from half time Collins John again got in behind the home defence from Claus Jensen’s cross but his downward header lacked the pace to trouble FIilan.

In the 42nd minute Fulham should have been awarded a penalty when a Volz surge into the box saw him fouled, Mr Marriner amazingly booked the German full back for simulation.

Fulham had the upper hand for much of the opening of the second period but again neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled. Wigan produced a rare break after 65 minutes when Damien Francis cross was headed over by Ryan Taylor.

Wigan now began to step up a gear and Camara burst past Goma but no one was on hand to convert his cross and Warner collected easily. A corner from Jimmy Bullard was headed over by Henri Camara as Wigan continued to pressurise.

Wigan appealed for a penalty when a McMillan centre bounced up and struck NIklas Jensen but again the referee was unimpressed. After a flurry of substitutions Wigan had the best chance so far when Camara bulldozed his way past Niklas Jensen, rounded Tony Warner but shot into the side netting.

Wigan scored a dramatic winner when a long free kick from Graham Kavanagh found Pascal Chimbonda who stooped to place a header into the corner of the net despite a brave attempt by Tony Warner to keep the ball out.